Sustainable Jobs, Sustainable Forests

I grew up playing in the forest, I learned in the forest, and now I work in the forest.

Oregon's Stewardship Foresters help ensure that Oregon's forests will always provide the benefits of clean water, protection of wildlife habitat, and the continued growing of trees. When called they provide leadership in the suppression of wildfires. Sustainable forests for sustainable jobs it takes a dedicated group of forest professionals to make it happen.

For everyone else who will play, learn, and work in the forest.

Work Capacity Test Center of Attention

Bargaining on March 21 was a good warm-up for fire season when members and management came from all of ODF's Areas to work on the WCT.

At ODF in Salem we heard about why it should be changed:

Management's focus was on how the ability of few could effect the safety of many.
Union's focus was on how to remove the financial burden of obtaining a physician's medical release when needed to take the WCT.

It is now up to the Union (us) to prepare a counter proposal, promised to Management at our next meeting on April 4th at 5:30P, ODOT Human Resources in Salem.

Reading the tea leaves, it's time to start your conditioning program for the WCT.

Lobby Day Connects

We met Legislators who are supportive and good listeners at the Capitol on 3/17. To quote Rep. Bob Jenson "it's pretty tough times" but also provided hope in what is budgeted for Natural Resource agencies.

For specifics HB 2123 that would allow the Department to provide legal protection to firefighters alleged to have committed a crime in the course of fire suppression activities passed out of Committee with amendments. The first step in the long journey to become a law.

Bargaining will be no less of a journey.

We bargain next on Monday night 3/21 starting at 5:30P at ODF Salem Headquarters. The work capacity test is on the agenda.

Central Oregon Firefighters Take a Bow

Last night a tentative agreement was reached that will allow seasonal employees not currently employed to apply for Agency internal promotions. Certain conditions apply. This is how bargaining is supposed to work, identify a problem or need, communicate a solution, and then bargain towards it. Thanks for bringing it forward Central Oregon Firefighters.

Next bargaining meeting is Monday, March 21 at ODF Headquarters in Salem where the Work Capacity Test will be a focus. Dinner at 5:30pm, bargaining at 6:30pm, Tillamook and Clatsop rooms.

Future bargaining dates: April 4, April 18

All Proposals In

Finally an opening to change the Work Capacity Test. Last night union and management traded WCT proposals. Union's focus to have physician co-pays paid; Management's focus to remove the physician note option when the WCT cannot be physically "passed". What do you think?

This will be a focus of bargaining on March 21st when we meet at ODF headquarters in Salem. The meeting starts at 5:30P. Being present to listen, think, share and decide will be important.

Next ODOT coalition bargaining is March 7 starting at 5:30P at ODOT Human Resource Center in Salem.

Foresters You've Got to Talk More Than Trees

At our statewide meeting we reviewed bills about Forestry in Oregon. They went from cut more trees to create conservation areas, protect forestry firefighters from alleged criminal charges to limit expenditures from the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund. What does that mean to you?

You don't need a tent to make a political statement but you do need to participate in our Lobby Day for Natural Resource Agencies on March 17th, contact your organizer for more details. The Local will pay for your companion's part of lodging if needed, we're family friendly.

Other dates: Coalition bargaining February 28, March 7, March 21

Possibility Thinking, Problem Solvivg Stewards Wanted

Efficiencies and change that works will be needed to give Oregon's forests the protections expected from Oregonians. Stewards are needed to help grow the ideas of empowered co-workers to feel secure and share what they know. Becoming a Steward is a great way to grow your own leadership skills. Ask our Statewide coordinator Lisa or me how to become one.

See you at the next Statewide Forestry meeting February 19, 10am, Portland Field Office.